Brittany’s Dream with jockey J.A. Guerrero aboard wins the 2nd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” Stakes. (Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)
Always Dreaming Colt Rallies to Top of Division with Win in Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” Stakes
Fair Grounds Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, La.– After eating dirt early and muscling through tight quarters late, Thomas Holyfield’s homebred Brittany’s Dream rallied up the rail to win the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Going 1 mile 70 yards and stopping the clock at 1:44.43, Brittany’s Dream’s asserted himself atop the division of 3-year-old Louisiana-bred male routers.
Piloted by Jose Guerrero and trained by the current meet-leader Shane Wilson, the son of Always Dreaming out of Brittany’s Tuition won by 3/4 length over the public’s top pick El Dinero, who outdueled Good and Stout through the final furlong.
“We were disappointed with his first start sprinting,” Wilson said. “He had been doing everything right, and he’d worked like babies had never worked for me before. He came back in his second start, and he ate dirt before running a big race once he got to the rail. All the mare’s foals got better going further, so we knew more distance would be key. When he broke his maiden, he pulled up after making the lead so today we wanted to bury him and give him some horses to chase. We knew he’d eat the dirt. After being so high on him from the beginning, it’s really rewarding to see him put it all together.”
As several got caught in a scuffle out of the gates, two front-runners emerged unscathed as Carpis set out to lead the field of ten through :23.59 and :47.18 quick opening quarters. With Spinning Aces in hot pursuit, a duel down the backstretch unfolded as Brittany’s Dream navigated a rail run taking kickback under a strong hold from his rider. Encroaching on the fading front runners in the far turn, Good and Stout emerged from the crowd with run as El Dinero saw out his wide bid, and the two engaged down the stretch. Brittany’s Dream held the rail before delivering a blow to an outer foe to make room and measure up the leaders. Slashing back to the rail at the 1/16th pole, Brittany’s Dream rallied triumphantly.
“I want to give thanks to Shane (Wilson) for this opportunity,” Guerrero said. “The race went well; I knew what kind of horse I had after he had run so well going long last time. Today he sat in a good position, and I was satisfied with how he was going throughout.”
With both wins coming at two turns, Brittany’s Dream tallies a career record of 4-2-1-0 and $106,200 in earnings. A generous $13.40, $5.60, and $3.80 was paid out to his market supporters.
